Following a comprehensive review of elite player development in the United States and around the world, U.S. Soccer created the Development Academy in 2007. The Academy Program's philosophy is based on increased training, less total games, and more meaningful games using international rules of competition.

The Academy has recently expanded programming to include a Girls' Development Academy that will begin in Fall 2017. The Academy has 197 total clubs, comprised of teams across five age groups in the boys program: U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16/17, and U-18/19 and six age groups in the girls program: U13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U17, and U-18/19.

The Academy Program focuses on positively impacting everyday club environments to assist in maximizing youth player development across the country. The Academy values individual development of elite players over winning trophies and titles. The Academy sets the standard for elite environments for youth soccer clubs nationwide and is a part of U.S. Soccer's global leadership position in youth soccer that will impact thousands of players.